Mar 29, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Louisville Cardinals center Gorgui Dieng (10) drives between Oregon Ducks forward Arsalan Kazemi (left) and center Zach Price (25) in the first half during the semifinals of the Midwest regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

It took about 10 minutes of the first half for the Ducks(28-8) to get settled in playing against the #1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament,  Louisville(31-5). The Cardinals biggest lead was 16 in the first half, but Oregon was able to cut that in half with 8 minutes left. By the end of the first half, Freshman Damyean Dotson and Senior Carlos Emory bot had two fouls and Junior Johnathan Loyd had 3 fouls, the third questionable on a ball steal.  Damyean Dotson was way off and 0-6 from the field in the half for the Ducks. Oregon was 11 for 27 from the field and missing (possibly) needed free throws going 4 for 9.

“We Definitely Thought We Could Have Got This One” – Freshman Dominic Artis

The Cardinals Peyton Siva was in foul trouble early and left after playing the first 5 minutes with two fouls, Russ Smith had 16 for the Cardinals. For the half Louisville shot close to 60 percent. Oregon shot 40 percent.

Louisville had the most points allowed by the Ducks in a first half of play this season, 45-31.

In the second half, Oregon was able to get it to 10. At the 8 minute mark, Louisville had a block against Carlos Emory and then hit a three on the other end. Oregon then went on a 7-0 run. The Ducks then got it to 6 briefly and then it was again extended to 10.

Oregon was not able to keep up with Louisville and the Cardinals made some solid blocks on Defense in the last few minutes of the game. Carlos Emory fouled out with 10 points. E.J. Singler led the Ducks with 15, followed by Dotson and Artis with 12 each.

Louisville’s Russ Smith had 31 points in the Cardinals victory.

Amazing Season for Oregon from being Picked 7th in the Pac 12 to Getting though a lot of adversity to make it to the NCAA Sweet 16. Nothing to be ashamed of. It’s good they had Senior leadership to get them there and now the Freshman will look to lead this team back.

The Cardinals Advance to the Elite 8 to face Duke on Sunday. The teams have not faced each other in the NCAA Tournament since 1989. The coaches were the same. Mike Krzyzewski for Duke and Rick Pitino for Louisville. Two programs that don’t fire their coach for winning Championships.

Oregon Ducks This Week:

For more on the Ducks you can follow AutzenZoo on Facebook and Twitter

Mar 28, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman during practice the day before the semifinals of the Midwest regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

We’ll start with Oregon Head Coach.

Dana Altman was asked about the program and this being his  ’first’ NCAA Tournament with Oregon:

This team is excited – E.J. is the only one who has been there four years, it’s really special for him. We’re still trying to get the equation right, we’ve had some hits and some misses. We’d like to continue to build our base that we can have a corps group of guys to build around.

On being there with three other coaches..(Duke/Krzyzewski, Michigan State/Izzo, Louisville/Pitino)

 Those three guys have unbelievable careers, they’re going to be Hall of Fame Coaches. All three of those programs because of there coaches have great teams and great traditions and we’re trying to build our tradition.

On Oregon Taking An Underdog Mentality?

 I don’t think too much was made about it in the locker room, more made in the press. Right now we now we’re playing a very talented team and one that if we don’t stay focused for for 40 minutes they have a tendency to blow teams away.

When (Altman) Came to Oregon Was it Tough to Envision this type of success?

 It really wasn’t. if you look at all the programs we have on campus, (Oregon) is committed to having quality programs. When we came three years ago sitting with 6 guys on the roster we didn’t know how quickly it would happen. Expectations when you go to the U of O is to try to compete, I’m fortunate to get the group of guys together that we did.

Mar 28, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz (left) talks with Oregon Ducks forward E.J. Singler during practice the day before the semifinals of the Midwest regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The players had the opportunity to talk about the program and the upcoming game with Louisville. E.J. Singler, who has been with the program the longest talked about Dana Altman, the coach:

He’s done an unbelievable job, first two years had to bring in some transfers. This year has been his first recruiting class. Overall he’s been a good coach and taken Oregon Basketball to the next level.

A lot has been said about the Louisville Press(not the media, the Defense):

Louisville is unbelievable Defensive team, press really gets after you…you really can’t simulate their pressure in practice.  All you really can do is get ready for it, talk about it, and know what you have to do against it…. We’ve really been focusing on being strong with the ball and limiting our turnovers.

In discussing of Oregon belonged with other Top Teams in the Regional:

The other teams here are historic…all have been here a lot…Oregon is not up to that par of the history, but excited were a part of it…this is where we want to be, this is where were supposed to be. Can’t wait to play against Louisville on Friday.

AutzenZoo  did a Q and A with the Louisville Blog of Fansided to help give some insight on the Cardinals.

Oregon and Louisville Friday at 4:15 PT in the Sweet 16 on CBS.

Oregon Ducks This Week: 

For more on the Ducks you can follow AutzenZoo on Facebook and Twitter

KCCollegeGameday.com

According to Wikipedia a Billiken is a charm doll that was a national fad in 1911. A local sportswriter said the head football coach at the time John R. Bender had a resemblance to a Billiken, and the name stuck. I guess I could think of worse things that the coach could have resembled. Aside from the name, St Louis is for real, they are the #4 seed in the Midwest Region after finishing the regular season and the A-10 Turnament at 28-5.

The Billikens beat New Mexico State 64-44 on Thursday, Dwayne Evans had 24 points, the most by a single player for St Louis in the Tournament and one point off his career high. For the game he had 11 field goals and six rebounds to help his team to a school record 28th win on the season. They are also winners of five in a row.

St Louis is playing inspired basketball. Billikens Head Coach Rick Majerus died of heart failure in December and Interim Head Coach Jim Crews has said he hasn’t changed much in the way of the playbook since Majerus passed.

“They have beaten good basketball teams and they have done it on a consistent basis. We’re going to have to play awfully well.”

 -Oregon Head Coach Dana Altman on facing St. Louis

Oregon(27-8) came into Thursday’s game against Oklahoma State feeling disrespected as a 12 seed and that changed in a hurry. The Ducks held the lead for much of the game vs the Cowboys and Arsalan Kazemi helped the Ducks in robounding. For the game, Oregon had 58 on both sides of the ball, 17 from Kazemi alone. The Ducks shut down Big 12 Freshman and Conference Player of the Year Marcus Smart early, holding him to 6 points for the first half, and 13 for the game.

Oregon seems to have gotten stronger since their season ending losses vs Colorado and Utah, winning three in a row and taking the Pac 12 Title. Senior Carlos Emory and Freshman Damyean Dotson seem to have found their shot again. Look for this game to be a battle. If it comes down to a battle of the boards, I see the Ducks having an advantage. The Ducks right now are shooting the ball as good as the top teams in the Tournament. Oregon can’t get caught looking ahead and I’m sure Dana Altman will have them focused on Saturday.

Again, a good start won’t hurt and the Defensive play needs to continue to be aggressive.

The media and nation will be paying attention to this game, as the tip time is slated for 4:10pm PT Saturday on TBS, putting it in the Primetime window, a great place for the Ducks to be for this matchup.

Oregon Ducks This Week: